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Beer (&?;), n. [OE. beor, ber,
AS. beór; akin to Fries. biar, Icel. bj&?;rr,
OHG. bior, D. & G. bier, and possibly E. brew.
√93, See Brew.]
1. A fermented liquor
made from any malted grain, but commonly from barley malt, with hops or
some other substance to impart a bitter flavor.
&fist; Beer has different names, as small beer, ale,
porter, brown stout, lager beer, according to its
strength, or other qualities. See Ale.
2. A fermented extract of the roots and other parts
of various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc.
Small beer, weak beer; (fig.)
insignificant matters. "To suckle fools, and chronicle small
beer." Shak.
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